5100s 3rd notch & 1.5” AAL

I have searched a while and haven’t been able to find that much info or pics showing how 5100s (with stock coils) set on the 3rd perch (1.1”) with a 1.5 progressive add-a-leaf will look. My plan...

I ordered a camper shell a few weeks ago and while I wait, I’m planning a small lift. In the end, I want the truck to sit 1” higher all around than it does now (and maintain that 1” factory rake)... after the shell is installed. The shell weighs ~200 lbs., which will sag the rear end ~.5” from what others have said. So...

I’m thinking a 3 leaf progressive AAL (1.5” lift with factory overload spring removed) should net the rear ~1” lift over stock once the camper shell is installed, yes?..
And that would mean I should set the front 5100s on the 3rd notch (w/ stock coils) for 1” lift over stock, right?

I want to make sure I’m not missing anything, or that the lift heights that the manufacturers claim aren’t off from reality. Any pics of an AAL with a camper shell and/or 5100s on the 3rd notch will be helpful. Here’s a pic of my truck as it sits now, patiently waiting for it’s new shell to come... Thx!

 

Thanks for all the replies TW! Haha, kidding. I ended up pulling the trigger on a 1.5 progressive AAL and some 5100s yesterday. I’ll update this thread with some pics once I install them if anyone cares, otherwise I won’t bother.

 

I care….was thinking about the same type of mild lift and would love to see the results of yours

 

I’d also appreciate the pics, although I’m in a 2nd gen and looking to achieve the 5100 Billies 1” lift all around without the benefit of a camper shell to knock 1/2” down in the back. But close enough.

 

using the 5100's with a little more spring than OE, and leaving it on a lower (preferably bottom) notch will be a better option.

 

This has been a frequent source of confusion to me as I read through threads on 5100’s: Bilstein says the front shocks are designed to be used only with stock springs. But yeah obviously lots of folks are doing otherwise, and tons of suppliers will sell you preassembled with many options other than stock.

 

Why do you say that?

I'm at the 4th notch (1.5") with 1.5" add a leaf and I like the ride much more than when I was stock on off road shocks.

 

I agree lift coils are usually better than compressing the stock coil. But in this case, I don’t think a 1” lift is enough to hurt the ride quality (we’ll see...). I also feel like it’s too small of a lift to a justify buying new coils for. If I ever go 2” or more, I’ll buy a nice coilover setup. I have Toytec Alumas in my 3rd gen 4runner and love the way they ride on everything.

 

Anything past the 3rd notch is un desireable, but the Toyota OEM lift kit is basically a 3rd notch 5100.

Do it up.

 

Toyota advertises the OEM lift as 2” in the front & 1” (block) in the back... Wouldn’t that be more like a 5th notch 5100?

 

Exactly. The harsh ride on notch 4 and 5 with stock springs is pretty much disproven. I’m on 4 and absolutely love the ride, and quality for the price point is amazing.

OP, ive got 1.5” up front and 1” in back (leaving me with .5” or so of rake) and love the slight rake fwiw

 

I have the 5100s all around with OME 887 springs in the front. It has given me close to a 2.5” lift. Also going with the same leaf setup. Not sure about adding the AAL with the overload leaf or take out? I don’t keep much weight in the back besides my softopper on the regular. Does see about 150-200lbs when camping. That’s why I went with the AAL. I try and keep my Tacoma as light as possible.

 

5100s here on the 4th and a 1 inch block on my DCLB with an ever so slight rake and our other one is a DCSB set on the 5th with a 1 inch rear block and its dead level. Your not compressing any coils which a lot of people are misled about that, the ride doesn't change either which confuses people as well. Keep your factory coils as OME coils are known to sag and Bilstein designed the 5100s to be used with the factory coils and by doing so it keeps the Bilstein lifetime warranty.

 

Removing the overload and adding the AAL was a consideration. What’s your spring setup in the rear on your ride?

 

I installed the TRD OEM Lift kit shocks with a 1.5 - 2" Torch AAL in the rear. Did not use the 1" lift blocks. My front shocks are set of the third groove for the maximum lift (2"). I also have an additional 142 pounds in the front end; Body Armor Hiline bumper with a 12K Harbor Freight Apex winch:

 

I’ve seen the debate around here about whether the coils get compressed or not with 5100s (honestly, it’s only a debate to people who don’t quite fully understand how the strut/coilover works). Think about this... the actual extended length of the shock can’t possibly get any longer. So when you move the collar up the shock, the area where the coils is “trapped” gets smaller while more of the shock body below the coil is exposed (which makes the coil stiffer, which equals more lift... but the overall extended length of the strut always stays the same). That means the coil get compressed. Imagine if you could keep going up with the collar?.. Eventually the spring would be completely smashed with no room between the individual coils. That’s compression.

 

Basially, most 3 leaf AALs will give you 1.5” w/o the overload, or 2” with the overload. Most people say the ride is a little stiffer with the overload left in.

 

This is not correct.

Spring holds truck.
Doesn't matter if the bottom of the spring moves up or down, it compresses based on weight. Unless you add weight the spring compresses the same.

The amount of possible travel will change based on the setting and components.

 

So the more you move the collar up, you don’t think the space where the spring is contained gets smaller?

 

OP you could do 4th setting front and rear 1.5” aal your good. Ride is great. I’ve since upgraded but you can’t go wrong with 5100’s.
Good luck